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There was a tumult of objurgations in the outer passage; but this King in spite of himself paid no heed. "I?" he gasped again, with relaxed jaws. "You, sire," cried Marulitch. "Our line is restored. There will be fighting, of course; but what of that? One audacious week will see you enthroned once more in the Schwarzburg. Ah! Here come Stampoff and Beliani.
He recalled the exiled potentates of the music hall review, and the bitter wit of the dramatist was now justified. It was ludicrous, too, of Stampoff to address him as "your Majesty." "Even Kings must give bribes occasionally," explained the impetuous General. "Or promise them," said Count Julius. "Or take them," said Beliani.
"Are we going there?" he managed to ask without a curse. "Soon, quite soon, provided Stampoff keeps a still tongue." "But why? To grace the coronation by our presence?" "It may be. Remember, if you please, that we are Alec's best friends. We gave him his chance. I offered to finance him; did finance Stampoff in fact. We are unknown personally to the officers of the Seventh.
"Just in time, old friend!" he cried. Stampoff heard him and looked up. "God's bones!" he roared. "Here is the King safe and sound. At them, my children! Dig them out with your sabers! Don't leave a man alive!" "Stop!" shouted Alec. "No more slaughter! I forbid it!"
"By all the saints, that is well put!" cried Stampoff. "Now, Sergius, my lamb, a really good omelet, something grilled, and a bottle of sound Karlowitz none of your Danube water for me!" The President surrendered at discretion. Alec's appeal to his self importance was irresistible.
They reached Paris next evening; but by that time the newspapers were hot on the scent of the missing King. So far as could be judged from the reports telegraphed by French correspondents in Delgratz, Stampoff had remained true to his dream of a monarchy. For lack of a better, Michael was King.
"We must display no haste, and he will smooth the way through the customs." "I suppose you don't want me to ask any questions?" laughed Alec. "Better not. Do you still adhere to your program of last night?" "Absolutely." Stampoff took off his hat, pointed through the window, and said quietly, "There, then, God willing, is your Majesty's future capital.
Alec laughed, and the policeman saluted. "When the train has gone," said Alec, "I want you to deliver this letter to General Stampoff." "Yes, your Majesty," replied the man. "It is important, remember. Here are ten rubles, and ask General Stampoff, with my compliments, for the like amount. Take no denial from his servants. If he is in bed, he must be awaked.
"So I did, shouted 'Mark cock' when the first low one flew across. By gad! that's rather clever of you, Miss Vernon," he grinned. "I don't know how either of you can find it in your heart to jest about that dreadful adventure," said the Princess. "I lay awake for hours last night thinking of what might have happened if that man Bosko had not managed to get away and warn General Stampoff."
The glittering escort of soldiers surrounding the carriage pressed into the King's service served to complete the illusion insisted on by Poluski, and Pauline rejoined her mistress, firm in the conviction that the tumult was an outlandish Serbian method of merrymaking. Alec, having seen the carriage started on its short journey, approached Stampoff and wrung his hand.
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